well that came as a shock

No, not the "obvious" bit of news over the last few days but this.

I had a text one day last week inviting me for a covid booster at a local vaccination centre.  

Fine I thought.  I missed my last one in May due to an administrative mix up causing 4 hour delays so could probably do with a top up.

In true Welsh NHS fashion I then got a letter together with a leaflet the day before my jab, along with a reminder text that evening.  Then on the morning of my jab I got a phone call saying to ignore the time on my texts and letter and jst turn up when I fancied.

So I did.  And was promptly given yet another leaflet.

Anyway, that's by the by.  None of my previous jabs have resulted in anything major in the side-effect department.  The odd fever or ache but nothing else.

But not this time.

I had something called "Spikevax" and later that evening it felt like someone had spiked a drink  Perhaps that's where it gets its name?

Anyway, the evening saw aches and pains begin to build, before a very uncomfortable and sleepless night with a severe fever seeing me shivering and sweating while tossing and turning with the pain.  Then the headache started.  And got progressively worse.

The following dat was no better.  I've had a very nasty flu before and this felt similar.  It was as if I was watching my life from afar.  I felt disembodied and very, very unwell.

Undeterred and being a man, I hauled myself out of bed and outside to try to clear my head.  Big mistake. It didn't help that the day was more akin to the heatwave we had back in July than a cool September day we normally experience.  I only went for a short walk but had to ring Lisa to fetch me after I'd blacked out or a short period.

As I type this I'm starting to feel a little better, but still have a fever.

I can't imagine how bad actually having full-blown covid must be if this is just the side effect of the vaccine.

Get vaccinated!!!